Sam Houston 2021 Acting & Directing Senior Showcase

Anthony Quinn Berry was raised in Conroe, Texas, parading the town scouring for the nearest slice of delicious cheesecake. And on that journey, he found his love for acting. At Sam, He's had the pleasure of being cast as a Somebody in Everybody, Brucie in Sweat, Boyet in Love's Labour's Lost, Kevin Jackson in Sonnets of an Old Century and Stanley in Richard III. This summer, he will be in an acting apprenticeship with the Commonwealth Shakespeare Company. When Anthony Quinn isn't on stage, he throws all his dramatic woes, jovial spirit and upbeat, witty sass into his poetry.

Michael J. Bowman is an actor and voice talent raised in Houston, Texas. He has played such roles as Mary Bennett in Kate Hammill's adaptation of Pride & Prejudice as well as Stan in Lynn Nottage's Pulitzer Prize winning Sweat. In his free time Michael likes to practice playing the piano, and also grinding the ranked ladder of some of his favorite online video games. Michael was inspired by the stories told to him by his father, to become a storyteller of his own starting at a young age, and looks forward to all the new stories yet to be told.

Bree Cloud is a Texas native with a passion for connection and a penchant for wit. Her collegiate credits include Let Me Down Easy (Sally/Lauren/Susan), Curious Incident (Ensemble), and Lady Windermere's Fan (Lady Plymdale). Additionally, she has served as a dramaturg for Kate Hamill's Pride & Prejudice and various unrealized productions. She will graduate this May and plans on pursuing acting, dramaturgy, and any theatrical opportunities that come her way. Some of Bree's favorite things include documentaries, Shakespeare, and Japanese theatre. Find her on Instagram at @bree.cloud or her website at breecloud.net

Victor is a graduating senior from Houston, Texas. While at SHSU Victor has been blessed to live many lives on stage, his favorite memories include Richard (King Richard III) and Anibal De La Luna (Cloud Tectonics). “SHSU has been my home for the last four years and will always hold a special place in my heart. This place helped me grow not only as an artist but also a man, I will forever be grateful for my time here.” Victor has recently accepted an offer to be part of UCSD's graduate acting program, upon graduation he plans to move to California and begin that adventure.

Essence is a southern girl at heart, but the city is where it is at. She is 22 years old, and grew up in Jennings, Louisiana. She is She is looking forward to graduating from SHSU in July, especially after ending her spring semester closing Richard III as Queen Elizabeth. She has learned to love herself, body and spirit. She has grown so much here and gotten the confidence she needs to move forward to be whoever or wherever she is called to be, and it might help that you will never see her with the same hairstyle within two weeks, which makes it so much for interesting.

Clara Griepp is finishing up her BFA in Acting/Directing at Sam Houston State University where she received training in Meisner, stage combat, theatre pedagogy, and spent time working in the scene shop. Her favorite color is the color of spring leaves, she loves experimenting with her macaron recipe, but above all, she is a fierce believer in empathy. These past 365 days, Clara has had the opportunity to be Moth in Love's Labour's Lost, Kaliope in She Kills Monsters: Virtual Realms, and Betty 1 in a staged reading of Contagious Rage: A Play in Five Betties. Clara is beyond excited to enter the world of professional theatre!

Kelsea Henderson has grown up and explored her love of performing and creating around the Houston area since she could remember! Kelsea's collegiate credits include Everybody (Somebody Swing); Sweat (Tracey); Love's Labour's Lost (Holofernes); and Richard III (Duchess of York). While she's not onstage, Kelsea loves to find and learn any artistic hobby she can get her hands on, from embroidery to nail art. After graduation (May 2021), Kelsea plans to pursue performing and use any area of art that she can to tell important stories and inspire others.

Judith Igwilo was born in a box of glitter and has been shining ever since. Born and raised in Houston, Texas, Judith is an artist who is fiercely passionate about her work as an actress, and her desire to create and inspire with likeminded individuals is what led her to where she stands today. Professional credits include: School Girls or the African Mean Girls Play (Ama, The Ensemble Theatre), Panto Hansel and Gretel (Ensemble, Stages Repertory Theatre). Judith's Collegiate credits include: The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Nighttime (Mrs. Gascoyne/Ensemble), Breath, Boom (Cat), Picnic at Hanging Rock (Arielle). When she's not performing, Judy enjoys reading, spending time with friends and family, and she occasionally dabbles in the piano. Judith loves to laugh and give the gift of laughter to others, and she is always willing and ready to learn and perfect her craft. You can find her on instagram: @Judith.i_

Tucker Luedecke is a creative in the Greater Houston area with a penchant for performing! His collegiate credits include, Richard III (Richmond), Sonnets for an Old Century (Sam Wellington), Almost Maine (East/Lendall/Randy/Dave) Everybody (Usher/God/Understanding) and Our Lady of 121st Street (Father Lux). Outside of acting, Tucker enjoys woodworking, cooking, and playing with his cat, Miss Shelby! He is proud to be able to help shape the future of theatre in an ever shifting landscape, and hopes to further explore the way our art changes the way we think, feel, and communicate.

Lauren Machelle discovered her soul-tie to storytelling at six when her parents registered her for a local summer workshop in her hometown. She is currently a candidate to receive a BFA in Theatre with an emphasis in Acting/Directing for Spring 2021 at SHSU. Collegiate credits include: Almost, Maine (Glory/Gayle/Shelly), Love's Labour's Lost (Nathaniel), Let Me Down Easy (Eve Ensler/Ruth Katz). One of the most compelling elements Lauren looks forward to upon entering the new world of artistry and creativity with her degree is the opportunity to travel anywhere and everywhere in the world, to be humbled, and to learn from people.

Tyler Mahler is a director, actor and poet. They were born and raised in Huntsville, Texas. They are the oldest of seven siblings; they have 2 brothers and 4 sisters who mean the world to them. They play guitar and a couple of other instruments when they have a little down time and enjoy cooking. Recently, they had the privilege of making their directorial debut at Sam Houston State University with The Pavilion by Craig Wright.

Sarah Sachi was born and raised in Pearland, Texas. Making her debut to the stage her sophomore year of High School with the show Into the Woods, she has been inseparable to the arts ever since. Some of her favorite productions she's been a part of include Once on this Island, Pride and Prejudice, The Baby Dance, and many more. Now, Sachi is a senior Acting/Directing BFA Candidate at Sam Houston State University for this Spring 2021. When not on stage, Sachi loves to sing, dance, paint, and other fun things. Sachi's talents have also been recognized at KCACTF where she was an Irene Ryan finalist and won the best comedy award 2 years in a row. Upon graduation, Sachi plans to pursue a career in Acting for stage and film.

Destiny Mosely is proudly from Port Arthur, Tx and that is where you can say the magic began! Her Professional Credits Include: For Colored Girls Who Have Considered Suicide When the Rainbow Was Enuf (Lady in Green, Obsidian Theatre). Sheep in the Outhouse (Tamaria, short film) Mosely's Collegiate credits include: Hairspray (Dynamite, Motormouth kid); A Raisin in the Sun (Beneatha); A Macbeth (Witch 1); The Mountaintop (Camae); Pride and Prejudice (Jane). With these shows she has had the honor of being nominated for the Irene Ryan Scholarship Award two times for her roles in A Raisin in the Sun and The Mountaintop. In 2020 she was the Region 6 Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival Irene Ryan Scholarship Award Recipient and National Finalist, making her the first black woman from Sam Houston State University to receive this award. In addition to performing, Destiny loves to cook, sing, dance and journal. After graduation, (May,2021) Destiny plans to pursue a career in performance wherever it takes her. You can find Destiny on Instagram: @thedestinymosely and her website: Destinymosely.com

Samantha Rosales is preparing to graduate from college with a BFA in acting and directing and a minor in mass communication. She has always been infatuated by all forms of entertainment and hopes to find a chaotic and inconsistent career in TV and film acting, making music, flight attending, and yachting. She loves traveling and learning about different cultures. She considers herself an amateur activist, intersectional feminist, LGBTQ+ ally, environmentalist, chef, fashionista, makeup artist, and photographer. She recently finished working on Sonnets for an Old Century with director Patrick Pearson as well as writing, directing, and editing a short film. Samantha's goal in life is to expose herself to new things and get out of her comfort zone.

Hélios Sirias has always had a fascination towards the arts since they were a child. They believe that everyday is another opportunity to create art and share it with one another. Hélios' collegiate credits include The Wolves (#2); Love Labours' Lost (Longaville); Sonnets for an Old Century (Doris) and Richard III (Ratcliff). While they are not doing theatre work on stage, Hélios loves to write poetry and music. They also enjoy being outside whether that is hiking, observing nature or skateboarding and shredding ramps at skateparks, being outside is always a great time for them. After Graduation, (August 2021), Hélios plans to pursue their future performing and sharing art around the world. They also want to work on getting a Master's degree in Psychology to better help POC and LGBTQ folks. Helping others is something that has always been very important to Hélios and they plan on helping the folks around in any way possible.

Marisa Sykes is an actor, dancer, singer, and director from Fort Worth, TX who is passionate about writing and environmentalism. She dabbles in gymnastics, painting, and upcycling. Marisa is an alum of the 2019 Disney College Program where she worked as a Character Attendant, and she is currently a candidate for a BFA in Acting and Directing with a minor in Dance from Sam Houston State University. Marisa recently starred in Sonnets for an Old Century and had the honor of directing Cry It Out at SHSU. Upon graduation she plans on getting her certification to be a yoga instructor and pursuing a career in directing and theme park entertainment.

Mari Tortorice was born in Missouri City, TX, where she began her passion for performance. She pursued that passion at Sam Houston State University, receiving training in Meisner Technique, Stage Combat, and Make-Up Prosthetics. Recently, she was seen as Betty 4 in a Staged Reading of A Collective Rage: A Play in 5 Betties, Vera/Evil Tina in She Kills Monsters: Virtual Realms, and Rosaline in Love's Labour's Lost. In her free time, Mari enjoys acrylic painting, playing D&D with her friends, and photography. After graduation, she hopes to pursue a career in Shakespearean acting, voice acting, and video game motion capture, while continuing her passion for photography.